Elite Education or Elite Club? Questions Arise at Northwestern’s Qatar Campus
Northwestern University defends its Qatar campus, arguing it offers an “elite” education to Middle Eastern women. However, a new report raises questions about just who is benefiting from this opportunity. The report suggests that a significant portion of graduates are members of Qatar’s elite, including the ruling Al Thani family.
According to the Middle East Forum, Northwestern Qatar (NU-Q) has graduated 729 students since 2014. The report indicates that about 9 percent of these graduates come from Qatar’s most powerful families, all closely linked to the Al Thani rulers. Even more striking, over 10 percent share the Al Thani surname, meaning roughly one in five graduates represent Qatar’s upper class.
The data reveals an interesting trend. In 2020, a peak was reached, with 35 percent of the graduating class coming from royal or elite families. Qatar has strict laws regarding surname changes. So, anyone with the “Al Thani” last name is almost certainly a member of the royal family.
These findings challenge the image Northwestern presents of its Qatar campus. When the school faced criticism for its presence in Qatar, the university stated that the campus provided an elite education to people in the region, especially women, who might not otherwise have access.
The report paints a different picture. It suggests the campus may be serving more to provide Western validation to Qatari elites than to educate the broader population.
The Middle East Forum report claims the data suggests a pattern where NU-Q enrolls a disproportionately high number of students from the ruling families that fund and govern the institution. The report emphasizes that the Al-Thani royal family has had at least one graduate in every class from 2014 through 2025, creating a steady stream. The report concludes, NU-Q acts as a training ground for Qatar’s future leaders, with many alumni taking on important roles in business and politics.
Northwestern established its Qatar campus in 2008 with funding from the Qatar Foundation, a state-run organization. Qatar has provided the university with a staggering $737 million.
This relationship has faced increased scrutiny recently. Qatar has been criticized for its support of certain groups. Some question whether Northwestern’s presence in Qatar aligns with American values.
Adding to the controversy, Northwestern’s contract with the Qatar Foundation includes a clause that restricts students and faculty from criticizing the Qatari government. As Northwestern conducts a “multiyear review” of its ties with Qatar, questions remain. Is this arrangement truly benefiting students, or is it primarily serving the interests of Qatar’s elite? The answer to that question will have significant implications for the future of Northwestern’s presence in the region.
